Archive for February, 2011

Visiting Portlandia for Zwicklemania

The plan was simple. Head to Oregon, visit my family, head to Portland for a day, see some friends and family there, have a beer or two in new locations, then head home. Then I got the email. “So you’re here on Feb 19? http://oregonbeer.org/zwickelmania/” This was going to be a busier weekend than I [...]

San “Fiasco” Opening Gala

What’s a celebration of beer that brings thousands of beer lovers out to hundreds of events without a little controversy? As San Francisco Beer Week 2010 saw a lot of comments on the release of Pliny the Younger and the handling of that situation, the big controversy this year is regarding the Opening Gala. Lines [...]

Pliny the Weekend

Pliny the Younger release day in 2010 was a wild time. Lines extended down the street, the bar area was packed shoulder to shoulder. Orders for beer took anywhere from 15-20 minutes with a growler fill taking even longer (I waited nearly two hours while enjoying the scene inside the pub). For 2011, there were [...]

Cheers to the NFC: The Beers of Wisconsin

It’s time for the big game, the Packers vs the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Both teams represent a blue collar fan base and are known for their beer drinking abilities. Since my rooting allegiances lie with Green Bay, let’s take a quick look at the beers of Wisconsin and some that may be appropriate [...]

Getting to Know RateBeer’s Best American Beer

You’ve probably heard about it enough this week, RateBeer’s Best for 2011 is out. Top among American beers for the year is Russian River’s Pliny the Younger. Many have heard of it but few have tasted it. This year, unless you live in the Bay Area or have access to the handful of cities where [...]